A new service which tells home sellers to “cut out the middle man” and “say goodbye to estate agents” says on its home page: “Your property will be listed on the largest property portal viewed by millions!”
A spokesperson for EMOH, which she said is not an agent, confirmed the portal as being Rightmove.
She said that this would not be a long-term arrangement as the plan is for EMOH to “supersede Rightmove” and to become a property portal in its own right.
The service is run by its two founders, Kamran Chaudhry and Haashim Rifai, but the spokesperson said it is being backed by an investor who cannot be named but who has “serious credentials in the property industry”.
She also said there are plans to market EMOH to consumers through online advertising, and eventually via TV and tub advertising.
She said that EMOH is “emphatically” not an online agent as and offers no intermediation between sellers and buyers. However, following the Tesco case, EMOH could be deemed to be offering some estate agency services.
EMOH can be used by sellers to upload their own property details, photographs, floorplans and EPC free of charge.
If they need help with any of those tasks, they can pay a fee – for example, photography at £99, valuations at £19,95. The maximum outlay is capped at £249.
Sellers and would-be purchasers can deal with each other through the site, which says it will disrupt the estate agency industry by handing power away from agents and giving it instead to consumers.
Chaudhry said: “The industry has been slow to change and although online estate agents have emerged in recent years, they have merely copied the existing business model and taken it online, charging fixed fees of £400–£800 to sell a property.
“In my opinion, online agents also unnecessarily insert themselves between the home seller and home buyer, and their arrival does not count as industry disruption.”
Last night a Rightmove spokesperson confirmed that EMOH had applied to list on it, but said tht the vetting process had yet to be completed.
EMOH’s website is here
Comments (59)
Before someone goes off spending copious time and effort of their own and of others, putting together an Association which would be totally committed to promoting Traditional Full-Service Estate Agency – someone tell me it’s already been done, is working perfectly well, and that I… I mean they… don’t have to bother, please…
Sorry PeeBee not quite getting this comment.
Are you saying the industry is fine? Are you saying we have a promotional body? or are you being sarcastic and say we do need one?
1. No.
2. One of sorts.
3. Hmmm…
What do YOU think – remembering you’ve already volunteered to be Spokesperson…? ;o)
HA ha i never volunteered to be spokesperson!
Happy fighting the daily battles with chancers on here 😉
Hmmm… I seem to remember you were more than a bit concerned as to others might make of you being appointed! ;o)
“I’ve worked in estate agency for over 20 years and even I recognise these online platforms offer a much needed alternative to the consumer.”
Just to confirm – are you currently operating as a ‘Traditional’ Estate Agent with a High-Street premises, ‘Modov’?
‘PeeBee’, as mentioned ‘I have worked in estate agency for over 20 years’ but if you must know have currently taken a step back out of ‘traditional’ agency in the sense you refer to.
My comment was intended to shed some light on the future prospects of our industry, and I think even you’d be naive to think these start-ups will have no effect on the ‘High-Street Premise’ agents.
‘the spokesperson said it is being backed by an investor who cannot be named but who has “serious credentials in the property industry”’. If this is the case, surely enough due diligence was carried out on their part. If not they’d be foolish to overlook such necessary parts of the services they’re offering.
After having a look at their site I must say I’m impressed. It’s a shame this site has become a playground for agents to bash every new comer into this industry. I’ve worked in estate agency for over 20 years and even I recognise these online platforms offer a much needed alternative to the consumer.
Modov,
I am guessing you are afiliated with this company?
This site does not bash new comers to the industry, The majority of us are agents and this is a news site aimed at agents in the main.
What the majority of us are against is chancers looking to past themselves off as something they are not.
We would do the same if a traditional high street agent opened tomorrow that made unsubstantiated promises and claims.
The problem is people see property as “Easy Money” and looking to leach off it. People from outside the industry think they know what people want. But in the main they do not. They are looking to create a need or a want. When some of these individuals spend time in the industry they may see why their offering is not needed or wanted. Like review sites!
smileplease,
I’m not an affiliate of this company or even an advocate of online agencies, I’ve spent far too many years of my life offering my service to this industry! The only point I was making was that having seen so many of these start-ups popping up, they are bound to have an effect on the business yourself and I have been a part of for so long.
Modov,
Have you actually seen the site?
it is a 14 dollar template that has been purchased online.
How are they going to value the property? jump on RM plus and come up with a figure?!
I am all for change and progression when it is better but these guys are chancers taking money upfront just to put a property on RM.
I also do not think RM will accept their listings.
As for their comment they will “Supersede Rightmove” i almost had tears coming down my face!
I have run a company check on the company and these are the only 2 directors, surely an investor would have wanted to legally be part of the venture?
presumably you noted the the “Dissolved via compulsory strike off” against one of the directors
I saw three dissolved companies……
What has dissolved companies got to do with anything? Have a look at how many dissolved companies some of the UKs biggest and brightest businessmen have…
A fair point, but a director at 25 years of age with dissolved companies already to his name and a mickey mouse website saying they will supersede Rightmove just reinforces that this is not really to be taken seriously.
The dissolves aren’t the concern Scotty, the compulsory strike off is otherwise it wouldn’t be labelled with a big yellow caution tag.
…sorry – but comparing these two with “some of the UK’s biggest and brightest businessmen” seems realistic how, precisely…?
PeeBee, the biggest and brightest also started off from somewhere…point is nobody should be knocked for having a dissolved company! Not sure what the criteria for a compulsory strike-off is but could be something as trivial as not filing a DS01 on time!
I’m sensing a particularly raw nerve has been exposed to alternating ice and fire there…
Take away the dissolution issue, Scotty T – and back to my original point – you REALLY see these characters taking on… and actually overtaking… RM?
Oi Peebee no! you can’t just hijack a compulsory strike off to make your own point about the over throwing of Rightmove. Go and hit your own nerve. I’m happy with ‘they were young (very) foolish and were in love.
very young, not very foolish
Apologies, Robert – but I’m eating this diplodocus one bite at a time… ;o)
Stab in the back !!!
By who? To who?
“EMOH is “emphatically” not an online agent as and offers no intermediation between sellers and buyers”……Yet in its video presentation on their website they claim to “be here to guide you through every step of the way”……….How on earth can they commit to this when they aren’t going to get involved “in any intermediation” with the buyer???
Another ill thought out scheme cooked up by people who think you can sell a service that doesn’t offer any service!!!!!!!! …….Next stop crowdfunding?
Sorry Wilko, by definition, it offers ancillary services, thus is an agent. Under the estate Agents Act 1979 it needs to register for redress with TPOS, OS or PRS
@ Wilko – agree. is there backer really that naive to realise the model makes them responsible and open to fines for incorrect info and omissions. Crazy
Well… here’s their problem:
C YOUR COMMITMENT TO US You:
1. Warrant that You or Your Client primarily operate as an Agent, Developer or Landlord, are providing the services normally associated with those operations and have not or will not, in Our opinion, misrepresent the nature of Your business to Us
Case closed, methinks.
I would welcome an explanation of the ‘Dislike’…
… and that one…
Oh, dear… Seeing as you’re on a roll and in your happy place, here’s another post for you to ‘Dislike’.
Now go find something shiny to stare at for the rest of the day.
Now you’re looking ridiculous.
Thankfully for you, the veil of total anonymity when clicking the ‘Dislike’ button affords you the luxury of pratting around and no doubt giggling like a naughty schoolgirl at how naughty you are.
Knock yourself out on my account – for a start I don’t give a fuppeny; secondly if you’re trying your hardest to chuff me off at least you’re not bothering anyone else; and last but not least, don’t be too angry at the nasty man or lady that stole your shiny thing.
Agreed smile please…. here’s an opportunity for AM/OTM and Ian S…. I will copy the link/comments to him and see what response a paying OTM Member gets.
Probably the same response you got when they went ahead with CountryLife and International
You’re an Estate Agent and a paying Member of the Portals Gump?….. or a paid/unpaid stirring moaner?!
Im 5 for 6! Not bad.
Let me know when that response turns up, you paying member you 🙂
I think it’s time for the NAEA or perhaps OnTheMarket.com to promote UK Wide …the benefits of using a Real High Street Estate Agent… and attract funding from its Members for that specific purpose.
We laugh at all these start-ups and Property Listers however we may regret sitting idly by thinking it will all come to nothing?
The Duopoly have no real interest in promoting the benefits of a Traditional Estate Agent as they seek profit from any source…. the Digital/Tech Monkees that frequent here are just protecting their jobs…. so, seems long overdue that the UK Estate Agency Industry promotes itself or do we do the LaLaLaLaLa impression and shout loudly that all this Pseudo Estate Agency Chancers will come to nothing?…..
I suspect we are staring at the iceberg, for how long do we stare?
I agree i have long expressed this thought.
Problem is NAEA even except onliners as members!
To AM / OTM have missed an opportunity here, they could get some great exposure nationally being invited ton TV and press about the housing market.
So case point – sp, you would like OTM to help you! Why not YOU help OTM?
All the little things that add up to me giving them support, I have never been against OTM just against the way it has been run.
AND i have a meeting with a rep next week (if he bothers to turn up this time). Must be that time of year as Z came to see me last week!
Great news sp. I think out of all the people ‘fence sitting’ you have been very transparent with your views all along, I hope it goes well with the rep next week and you make the change over.
I’ve been fence sitting too. I stopped when I realised that the last time I saw the man from Zoopla was over a year ago when he came to see me about putting up our subscription!
Nationally? Have we not established they only care about the London market and the big boys yet? Or did I miss something?
🙂
Morning GPL – Can NAEA actually do this? and I mean, Online Only Agents can be NAEA Members I assume, as long as they meet the “practicing criteria” of which having a High Street Office is not one of them (I may be wrong?).
AM – Could certainly promo this, but then what a ****** with such a large proportion of High Street Agents, happy for OTM to support/promote High Street Agency but so many not return the support to AM and join.
RM will never do it, Z will never do it and in a way why should OTM promo such a large proportion of agents who don’t care……
Personally I think it needs local level big names in local papers championing the cause, small battles won first.
Using the local paper better has always been something I think can be done…. for us however the problem is not so big, so in a way we are just lying low as we could score an own goal by talking about it.
Personally I think it needs local level big names in local papers championing the cause, small battles won first.
Thats an idea i like, bring back the associations and do some good!
Morning Ric….I confess to having given up on NAEA years ago due to their general inactivity.
As you may gather I support the UK Estate Agency Industry even altho we have a very successful business here in Scotland. I also support England, Wales or Ireland when Scotland are out of football, rugby etc…. so, I’m probably odd!
Anything sensible/positive that promotes our industry has to be considered…. accepting that there will never be complete support for all the reasons we know.
In the scheme of things I don’t have an issue with others benefiting…. the alternative is do nothing however in the long term my view is our industry will regret their often held “I’m alright Jack” approach.
Being competitive in our industry is a given however supporting our industry collectively isn’t….. but it should be!
Prices should be quoted including VAT if they are a fixed amount, right?
Clearly a really well researched product launch, not!
I was going to use my BUPA cover to get my hernia sorted…but then I found a rusty old pair of sheers and some fishing wire in the shed!
@Andrew – YES. ….. …..
I was just discussing this innovative idea with a friend of mine called Miles. He said he was bricking it.
im not sure what he meant ………..
Last night a Rightmove spokesperson confirmed that EMOH had applied to list on it, but said tht the vetting process had yet to be completed.
An easy test for RM you would think?
or a day when sellers can piggy back onto RM via a FSBO company! Lets just say RM allowed this…… I have the number for the OTM membership department!
I wish to destroy you… After I’ve used your services, should they be called black widow properties ?
Well let’s hope that Rightmove’s entry criteria is sufficient that they can deny entry to this company. How they -EMOH – think that having declared they will devour RM, that they will be allowed entry is beyond me. I think I’ve been an estate agent too long. Clearly there are many new ways of earning lots of money by being a parasite riding on the back of others without doing any hard work
Do you want Rightmove to also de-list every agent that’s on OTM? After all they have also professed their aim to ‘supercede Rightmove.’ 😉
At some stage Rightmove and Zoopla will need to take a stand to defend their bread and butter which is traditional estate agents.
I think OTM are missing a trick here. This could also be the time for OTM to push themselves forward and to give the industry focus.
Save fees on expensive dentists… pull your own teeth with SREILP !
Because 7 years of study to become a qualified dentist is the same as popping into TK Maxx buying a cheap suit and calling yourself a local expert *BIG THUMBS UP*
There’s two born every minute…
Is it April 1st today?
@TG – I think your right 🙂
Sorry EMOH – the Property Sales Guidance clearly staes that if you offer ancillary services, ie photography, floorplans, EPCs that you need to register for redress, ie TPOS, OS or PRS. Then you can trade legally as an agent under UK law.
I do wish VC’s would do their due dilligence when launching budget models. It sounds as though yours hasn’t. I hope they or you have deep pockets to allow for not checking omissions or details error, by vendors.
By providing ancillary details, information provided via you becomes your liability. Why do you think TESCO pulled out 🙂
GUIDANCE ON PROPERTY SALES : check page 3 of:
1.3 The guidance applies to you if, as part of your business, you
provide some ancillary service related to any of the above
http://pstatic.powys.gov.uk/fileadmin/Docs/Estate_Agency/NTSEAT_guidance_on_property_sales_-_Sept_2015_en.pdf